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How to Hang Wall Art: The Complete Guide

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A beautiful ocean beach with palm trees, white sands, and blue sky in the Florida Keys - a fine art photograph by Lazar Gintchin.

How to Hang Wall Art: The Complete Guide

HANGING PHOTOGRAPHY PRINTS, PICTURES, AND WALL ART

How to hang photography prints, paintings, or any kind of wall art, like a professional? You are the proud collector of a newly acquired masterpiece artwork and now you need to hang it on a beautiful wall. How do you do that? What tools do you need? How do you ensure a proper wall mount? If this is you, keep reading for a step by step guide on how to hang wall art like a professional.

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN HANGING WALL ART

This article is a complete guide on the how-to steps of hanging art on a wall. It assumes that you have already made some interior design decisions such as: what artwork you are hanging, which wall will it be displayed on, and where on that wall it will be positioned. In other words, it is not meant to address the interior design aspect of hanging artwork on a wall. If you need help with some of those decisions, you might want to read these articles:
Interior Design With Nature Photography: Complete Guide
How to Choose the Right Print Size for Your Wall
How to visualize fine art prints on your wall?

When hanging any artwork on a wall there are two main parts you should not compromise on. First, the correct position of the artwork on the wall. Meaning, it is perfectly horizontally level, and aligned with any furniture or other wall decor. Second, a safe and sturdy mount installation which will ensure that the artwork will remain securely on the wall for as long as it is intended to be there.

An endless ocean panorama with a cloudy sky - Faroe Islands - Gintchin Fine Art
Heaven and Water

Gintchin Fine Art | Limited Edition Print

HOW TO HANG WALL ART IN A PERFECT POSITION

Knowing how to correctly position the art on the wall is key when hanging it, in order for it to be perfectly level and centered. This section will walk you through the steps of how to ensure a correct position.

Find the desired position of the wall art

To ensure the correct position of an art piece when hanging it on a wall you have to consider three things. One, the vertical alignment of the artwork or, how high on the wall it should be. In other words, do you want it centered on eye level or aligned with furniture, or other decor on the wall. Two, the horizontal alignment or, how far left or right on the wall will the picture be placed. This is important when you want it dead center on a wall, or aligned with some furniture below it. Three, ensuring that the wall art is perfectly level horizontally. This may be the most important aspect of correct positioning when hanging wall art. It can be very disappointing to see a stunning image print on a wall, but mounted at a slight angle and appearing slanted.

Therefore, the very first step you need before mounting an art piece is to ensure that you know exactly where it needs to be on the wall.

Understand the type of hanging system

The next step is to understand the hanging system, which will be used to hang your image. The hanging system will determine which approach you take in order to calculate the exact location of your wall anchors.

Let’s explain what is meant by an “anchor” when we hang wall art. An anchor means the actual hardware upon which the picture hangs. Depending on the hanging systems used it could be several things. For example the anchor could be a single screw or a nail, upon which a small frame hangs directly. It could be 2 screws, or nails, upon which the art hangs. In some cases the anchor is an actual hook (or two), which is fastened with a screw or nail. Yet, in other cases the anchor can be actual rail, which is fastened with screws to the wall.

Calculate and Mark the Anchor Position/s on the Wall

If you calculate the anchor positions correctly, you are halfway through to ensuring a proper mount of your wall art. You will want to create small pencil marks on the wall to know exactly where they need to go. I recommend making a small “+”, as you mark each spot on the wall. That way you can precisely position the point of every screw that will hold your art. Please note that the calculation process will vary depending on the hanging system used. This is explained below in detail.

A beautiful fjord surrounded by green lush mountains and some fog - Faroe Islands - Gintchin Fine Art
Serenity Fjord

Gintchin Fine Art | Limited Edition Print

FINDING THE ANCHOR POSITIONS WHEN HANGING WALL ART

The approach you take here will depend on the wall art hanging system, as explained below. The tools you will need are: pencil, measuring tape, and a level. I strongly recommend a laser level.

Cables & Rail - Hanging System

This hanging system is one of the easier because it gives you a lot of flexibility for adjustment after it has been installed. Because of its design you can easily reposition your wall art, both vertically and horizontally, after it has been hung.

1.) Mark the wall with a “+” where the top-center of your wall art will be.
2.) Ensure that the total length of your cables can reach from where the rail will be, down to the picture hardware. NOTE: I recommend that the rail be mounted all the way to the ceiling, so that it is not distracting.
3.) Use the laser level to find where the center of the rail needs to be.
4.) Hold the rail on the wall and use the level to make sure it is perfectly horizontal. Then mark the holes where the anchor screws will go later.

Direct Wall Mount - Hanging System

Thi is the hardest type to get right, but if you follow the steps below you will be successful.

1.) Mark the wall with a “+” where the top-center of your wall art will be.
2.) Measure the exact distance between the hanging hardware. NOTE: Measure the distance center to center of the hole. You have to be very precise here because sometimes even a ⅛ of an inch error will cause your wall art to be slanted.
3.) Measure horizontally half the distance, from the previous step, from the top-center to the right and place another “+” on the wall. Use your level to ensure a perfect horizontal.
4.) Measure the distance between the top of the artwork and the hanging hardware hole. Then apply that distance from the previous “+” mark and go straight down, to pencil in another “+”. This is where your first anchor screw will go in later. Again, use your level to ensure a perfect vertical.
5.) Use your measure and go left, from your last “+”, exactly the distance that you measured in step 2.). Then mark another “+”. This is where your second anchor screw will go in. It is critical that this “+” and the one from step 4.) are perfectly aligned horizontally. If not, your art will hang at an angle.

Frame Cable - Hanging System

The French Cleat system is also not very hard to calculate for.

1.) Mark the wall with a “+” where the top-center of your wall art will be.
2.) This hanging system has 2 rails. One should already be attached to the back of your art, and the other should not. Take the unattached one and place it in a lock position with the mounted one. This is how the two will be when the art is finally hanging on the wall. Once you have placed the two together on the back of the frame, measure the distance between the top of the frame and the bottom of the rail.
3.) Place the loose rail on the wall, below the “+” you created in step 1.), and make sure its bottom is exactly the distance from it that you measured in step 2.). Use your level to make sure it is perfectly horizontal and mark the holes on it where the anchor screws will go in later.

French Cleat - Hanging System

The Frame and Cable hanging system is probably by far the easiest to mark and install.

1.) Mark the wall with a “+” where the top-center of your wall art will be.
2.) Pull the cable with your hand, towards the top-center of the picture, and measure the distance from there to the top of the frame.
3.) Measure that same distance from the “+” you created in step 1.), and mark a second “+” directly below it. This is where your anchor screw/nail will go in later.

A beautiful valley bathing in sunshine with tall vertical cliffs and monasteries, Greece - Small
Monastic Haven

Gintchin Fine Art | Limited Edition Print

HOW TO SECURE WALL ANCHORS WHEN HANGING ART

By now it is assumed that you have already marked the exact spots on the wall where the art will be hung. Therefore, all you need to do is secure your anchors and hang your new masterpiece.

One of the most important things when you hang wall art is knowing how to safely secure the anchors. Failing to properly secure an anchor can result in the artwork falling off the wall. In most cases this will end up damaging the art. A fallen wall art can also damage nearby furniture and/or other decor. What would be worse however, is if the artwork was above a sofa or a bed and hit a person on its way down. Therefore, be sure to use the right hardware, tools, and execution in order to ensure that picture stays securely on your wall.

Disclaimer: I have successfully hung large and small wall art prints in art galleries, homes, and corporate offices. My experience spans many years and now I am sharing the lessons I have learned along the way. However, I am not the standard on how to securely hang wall art. Therefore, you should ensure that you read hardware manufacturers instructions, and use proper tools and skills in order to securely hang wall art.

In addition, it is important to understand that the type of wall determines how we hang the wall art, and the tools and hardware that we use. Therefore, let’s look at some of the most common examples.

Drywall - Hanging Wall Art on Drywall

Drywalls are the most common type when hanging wall art. Drywalls are also the weakest structures, which makes it all the more important to secure the artwork anchors well.

HARDWARE
Although nails are quick and easy to use on drywall, I would not recommend them unless they are used with a hook anchor and are meant for a small picture. On the other hand, screws can provide a more secure anchoring mechanism, especially when used with a drywall anchor. A crew and a drywall anchor is my preferred method when hanging wall art on drywall. Every drywall anchor manufacturer specifies the maximum supported weight, which is very helpful. I always like to use anchors that can support more weight than the actual artwork.

TOOLS
If you are using nails, the only tool you need is a hammer. If you are using screws, I recommend a hand screwdriver and NOT a powered drill. The reason for that is the softness of the drywall texture. Screws into a drywall should be snug but not overtightened. When you use a powered drill it can be very easy to over tighten and destroy the integrity of the wall, which would lead to a compromised anchor. In addition, you may need a stud finder as well.

EXECUTION
When hammering a nail, hold it steady onto the drywall and gently tap with the hammer. Once it is snug, stop hammering so that you do not ruin the drywall. This should not require much force.

When using a screw with a drywall anchor to hang wall art, I like to make a small hole in the wall first. You can do this by pressing the tip of your phillips screwdriver into the wall and spinning it back and forth a few times. This will create a small “well” where you will then place the tip of the anchor and drive it in with your screwdriver. To do that, first push it into the wall with the screwdriver, so that it can “bite” into the wall, and then start screwing. Do NOT overtighten.

If you hit a harder surface inside the wall, while driving a nail or a screw, you need to pause and find out what you have hit. It could be a stud, pipe, or a metal plate (which is sometimes used to protect electrical wiring inside your wall). If it is a stud, read the instructions below in the “Stud” section. If it is a pipe or a metal plate, you need to find a new position for your wall art.

A beautiful slow motion waterfall with lush green moss all around it - Faroe Islands - Gintchin Fine Art
Living Water

Gintchin Fine Art | Limited Edition Print

Plaster - How to Hang Wall Art on a Plaster Wall

Plaster walls have not been used for many years now. Unless you live in an older house, chances are that you will not have to work with a plaster wall when hanging wall art.

HARDWARE
You should be able to use both nails and screws here. If the nails are fastened to the wood part of the plastered wall, they would be able to hold more weight than nails in a drywall. Also, if you use screws into the wood, they would not need a drywall anchor. However, if your screws are fastened in the plaster only, you would need a plaster anchor first.

TOOLS
You would need a hammer if using nails. If you use screws and fasten them in wood, you should only need a power drill with a phillips screw head. However, if your choice is screws with plaster anchors, you will need a screwdriver, a power drill, and a proper drill bit. The packaging on the plaster anchor will give you the necessary drill bit size. However, as a general rule – you want the diameter of the drill bit to be slightly smaller than the one of the anchor, so that the anchor can fit tightly into the wall and hold your artwork securely.

EXECUTION
When driving a nail, just hold it steady and hammer with gentle force. If the nail hits the wood you will have to drive a little harder. If you use screws, I would recommend driving the screw directly into the wall with your power drill. If you hit wood, you probably do not need an anchor, unless your artwork is really heavy. If you do need a plaster anchor, you want to first drill the anchor hole. Then use the hammer to tap it into the wall. Be gentle because if you hit too hard and at an angle, you may bend the anchor and make it very difficult to insert. Finally, place the screw inside the anchor by using a hand screwdriver.

Stud - Hanging Wall Art on Studs

Hanging wall art on studs is one of the sturdiest approaches. If you are hanging a heavy artwork, or multiple pictures on the same anchor, this may be your only choice. For example, a rail that will hold multiple pieces of art will almost always have to be secured to the studs of a wall.

Furthermore, this section assumes that you have located the studs in your wall already. It also assumes that you have confirmed that what you believe is a stud is not a pipe, metal plate, or another object inside your wall.

HARDWARE
You can use small nails in a stud. However, I would stay away from hammering big nails into a stud because of the force that has to be applied. Therefore, I believe that screws without drywall anchors are the best hardware here.

TOOLS
Drill bit and a power cord with a phillips head. The drill bit diameter should be about ⅓ smaller than that of the screw.

EXECUTION
Drill the whole first and make sure your bit is long enough to penetrate both the drywall and the stud behind it. Then use the power drill to drive the screw into the stud.

A blue river flowing through a narrow and steep canyon, Yellowstone National Park
A River Runs Through It

Gintchin Fine Art | Limited Edition Print

Brick - How to Hang Fine Art on a Brick Wall

Brick walls are less common when hanging art pictures. Nevertheless, many homes still have internal brick walls, especially around fireplaces. If you have decided to hang a picture on a brick wall, be sure that you have the right skills and tools, as this is probably the hardest method.

HARDWARE
You can use specially designed screws, or you can use specially designed wall anchors and then screw into them. Be sure to read the packaging of your hardware to ensure it can be used in bricks.

TOOLS
You will need a power drill and the type of head/s that your screw/s have. In addition, if you use wall anchors, you will need a drill bit, designed for bricks. Finally, you will need a hammer to drive the wall anchors in.

EXECUTION
Using a hammer-action speed, drill to create a hole in the brick. It is important to use a bit diameter slightly smaller than the screw or the wall anchor, whichever you are using. Another important part is to make the hole slightly deeper than the length of the screw. Tap the anchor inside the brick with your hammer. Finally, use a hand screw driver to insert the screw into the wall or the anchor.

PUBLICATIONS

This article has been referenced on Porch.com

Request a Complimentary

Fine Art Consultation

Gintchin Fine Art offers a 30 minute no-obligation complimentary art consultation. Having designed and built gallery walls in home, office, corporate, and art gallery interiors I can help you make the right choice. If you need advice on choosing the right photograph, print size, print medium, frame option, hanging system, etc. I can help. Take advantage of my experience and skills, and request your no-pressure art consulting session today.

Request Consultation
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Choosing a Wall Art Hanging System

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Choosing a Wall Art Hanging System

HOW TO SELECT THE BEST WALL ART HANGING SYSTEM

Knowing how to choose the best hanging system is important when you hang a photo print, picture, painting, or any style of wall art. Whether you plan to hang a single artwork, create a home gallery wall, or decorate an entire art gallery, you will benefit from choosing the right hanging system. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different hanging systems? Which one is right for you and your project? The frame structure of your art piece will influence how much choice you have. Nevertheless, you always have a choice and it is important to make the right one.

CABLES & RAIL - WALL ART HANGING SYSTEM

Image source: picturehangingsystems.com

This wall art hanging system is designed with two main hardware components. First, it has a metal (most commonly aluminum) rail, which is mounted directly on the wall. Second, it comes with steel cables, which suspended the artwork from the rail. Typically the top end of the cable hooks easily on the rail and can slide left and right for quick positioning. The bottom end of each cable is outfitted with a sliding hook, which connects to the art piece itself. The hooks are designed to easily slide up and down the cable for easy vertical adjustment. They have a locking mechanism, which can be released with the push of a button. This allows for the ability to position the wall art exactly where you want it.

Pros

  • Lots of flexibility on wall art positioning. First, because the cables slide effortlessly across the rail, you can position your art piece where you want it horizontally. Second, since the hooks can move up and down the cable, you have lots of flexibility on the vertical position of the picture.

  • Great for a gallery wall where the art changes often. Since this hanging system allows for much flexibility on art positioning, it works well on a gallery wall, because of the convenience to change images every so often, as is the case in an art gallery. The versatility of this system, both horizontally and vertically allows you to accommodate almost any scenario, number of images, and image size.

  • Gives you a gallery style feel. This is the kind of a hanging system you will often see in a museum or art gallery. If you are looking to create a museum feel, the rail and cables system may work well.

  • Can accommodate both a single and multiple layers of images. Again, the versatility of this hanging system gives you a ton of flexibility, regardless of whether you want a single row of art pieces, or you want to create a mosaic on the wall. Additionally, cable lengths vary, which allows you to suspend one or more artworks on a single set.

Cons

  • Can be more expensive. This may be one of the more expensive options when it comes to hanging wall art.

  • Cables remain visible. If you are trying to create a clean, minimalist look on your wall the steel cables may be distracting and detract from that look.

  • Can be too much hardware for a single image. If you are using this hanging system for just a single wall art piece, it may be an excessive solution and more hassle than it is worth.

When to Choose

  • When the goal is to create a gallery wall, whether at home or in an actual art gallery.

  • When you plan to hang multiple prints on a wall instead of a single one.

  • When you want to create a museum/gallery feel.

  • When you plan to swap the art images every now and again.
Steep rock wall mountain islands with lots of green grass - Faroe Islands - Gintchin Fine Art
Foroya

Gintchin Fine Art | Limited Edition Print

DIRECT MOUNT - WALL ART HANGING SYSTEM

Image source: picturehangsolutions.com

This is the most common type of wall art hanging system in home settings, but less common in art galleries. In this case the art piece itself has some sort of hanging hardware on its back, such as tiny holes, a metal plate, or d-rings, upon which it is meant to be suspended. This hardware is directly hung on a screw, nail, cable or hook secured into the wall. This type of a hanging system is usually used for small frames. Most wall art and/or frames, available at a local craft store, typically come equipped with such hanging hardware out of the box.

Pros

  • It is a well known hanging mechanism and is pretty simple. Also, in order to mount such a picture on the wall, you only need to fasten one or two anchors on the wall and you are done.

  • Clean aesthetic look – no hanging hardware components are visible after the art is on the wall. This creates a distraction free wall and helps the art stand out.

Cons

  • Does not work well for art that will change. This is because once the wall anchors are fixed in the wall, it only fits that particular artwork. meaning, if you want to exchange the art with another, after it has been mounted to the wall, you will have to remove the original anchors and secure new ones. Unless the new picture is the exact same type and size.

  • Requires the most skills in order to hang properly. This is so, because the wall anchors need to be precisely fastened to the wall. In other words, the two wall anchors need to be at an exact distance from each other, in order to match the hardware on the back of the frame. In addition, they have to be perfectly aligned horizontally. Otherwise you may not be able to hang the image, or it may hang slanted to one side.

  • If you are mounting a heavier wall art piece, you may need to find the wall studs because drywall anchors may not be enough. This adds an additional complexity to the entire mounting process.

When to Choose

  • When hanging a single art piece on your wall.

  • When the artwork is not heavy and does not require a heavy duty hanging system.

  • When you plan to keep the picture on the wall for a long time and you do not plan to regularly exchange it with other artwork.
A remote tiny village on the edge of a steep coast right next to the ocean - Faroe Islands - Gintchin Fine Art
Far and Away

Gintchin Fine Art | Limited Edition Print

FRAME CABLE - WALL ART HANGING SYSTEM

Image source: wikihow.com

This type of a wall art hanging system contains just one hardware piece. It uses a single steel cable mounted directly to the back side of the art’s frame. The cable is secured horizontally and is used to suspend the entire picture from a single wall anchor.

Pros

  • This is the easiest way to hang an artwork. You need just one wall anchor (screw, nail, hook, etc.)

  • Easy to balance horizontally because of the single wall anchor. Once the image is hung on the wall you can easily adjust its level position by simply sliding it left or right.

  • Aesthetic look – no hanging hardware components are visible after the art is on the wall. However, if the cable is secured near the top of the frame and/or is very long, it will be visible above the picture.

Cons

  • Does not work well for multiple artworks that will change often. This type of a hanging system allows you to easily remove the wall art from the wall and hang a new one on the same anchor. However, because of the fixed position of the anchor you may not be able to accommodate the regular exchange of multiple pictures on a wall, unless they are of the same size and have the same cable positioning on the back of the frame.

  • Can create a slight forward tilt of the picture. Depending on the cable length and its position on the art frame, this hanging system may cause the wall art to slightly lean forward. This may not be a problem but if it is important to you that the art is firmly against the wall, it may bother you.

  • Can warp a wood frame. When a large, wood frame wall art is hung using this system, it can get warped over time. The reason for this is that the cable pulls the frame at an angle under its weight. Warping will most likely not appear on small art pieces, or larger ones with metal frames/construction. However, you will be taking a risk using this hanging system on large, wood frame artworks.

When to Choose

  • When you plan to keep the artwork on the wall for a long time.

  • When hanging a single art image.

  • When the art piece is small or made with a metal frame/construction.
Beautiful tall lush mountains with steep shores leading into the ocean - Faroe Islands - Gintchin Fine Art
Faroese Charm

Gintchin Fine Art | Limited Edition Print

FRENCH CLEAT - WALL ART HANGING SYSTEM

Image source: precisionboard.com

The french cleat hanging system contains two hardware pieces that are mirror images of each other. They are usually rails which are specially designed to lock together. Most often the rails are made of metal or wood. One is mounted on the wall and the other is mounted on the picture itself. Therefore, the one on the wall serves as the hanging anchor, and the one on the art allows for the actual hanging of the artwork.

Pros

  • Works well in settings where the art will change, because of how easy it is to take it off the wall and put another in its place.

  • Easy horizontal positioning and more forgiving when mounting. Since the french cleat is a rail system it allows for easy sliding left and right, to a degree. That allows you to be more precise if you are trying to center it on a wall, or above a piece of furniture.

  • Aesthetic look is clean. Because the rails themselves are shorter than the width of the art, no hanging hardware components are visible after it is hung on the wall.

  • Allows for the hanging of heavier wall art. French cleat hanging systems come in various forms and shapes, many of which are heavy duty. This would allow you to safely hang a heavy artwork. In addition, french cleat rails have multiple anchor holes, which makes it easier to use the wall studs, if that is necessary.

Cons

  • Can be difficult to use if your artwork did not come with it. Typically you will not have to install a cleat system on the back of a frame, however. Most times it is manufactured that way. On the other hand, if that was not the case and you want to use a cleat system, it may be challenging to fasten the piece that mounts on the back of the art.

  • May not be ideal for multiple images on the same wall, which will regularly change, such as an art gallery. Although you do get some horizontal positioning flexibility with the french cleat system, they are fixed wall anchors. That means you will not be able to easily replace the wall art with new pictures of varying sizes. NOTE: This is solved with the hanging system mentioned below – Rail & Cleat.

When to Choose

  • When hanging a single wall art piece.

  • When hanging heavy wall art, a durable hanging system is necessary.
A tiny house structure in the middle of a wildflower hill which looks like the house of Frodo - Faroe Islands - Gintchin Fine Art
Frodo’s House

Gintchin Fine Art | Limited Edition Print

RAIL & CLEAT - WALL ART HANGING SYSTEM

A white gallery wall with 3 wall art prints of the Faroe Islands - Gintchin Fine Art

This is a picture hanging system that you would see on the walls of some galleries. It basically is the french cleat hanging system, but designed for multiple images in a single row. In this case a long rail is mounted horizontally across an entire gallery wall. Pictures are then hung in a horizontal line, where the mid section of each is at the same vertical level, regardless of size. Additionally, this hanging system does not allow the back of the art to be firmly against the wall and gives it a floating look.

Pros

  • Great for triptychs – Ensures a perfect alignment for horizontal triptychs.
  • Great for a gallery – Allows for easy changing of the wall art, which is common for an art gallery. Also, if the gallery is equipped with a private viewing room this makes it very easy to present any wall art to a potential collector buyer.
  • Ideal for large format wall art – This hanging system is very sturdy and can securely accommodate larger and heavier pictures and prints.
  • Can work well for changing images of various sizes. Again, a gallery will regularly display changing artworks of various sizes. Having a single rail across the entire wall allows for easy combinations of various size wall art.

Cons

  • Aesthetics – A visible rail across the wall can be distracting to some. However, this can be somewhat mitigated by painting it the same color as the wall.

  • In order to work the rail attached to the artwork has to be flush with the back side of the art. Therefore, modifications may be required, depending on the art’s structure/frame.

When to Choose

  • When you want a single row of images which would be horizontally aligned.

  • When creating a gallery wall.

  • When you want an easy way to exchange wall art of various sizes.

  • When you can ensure that the piece on the back of the wall art frame is flush with it and not sunken inside the frame.

  • When you want to hang large and heavy wall art.
Request a Complimentary

Fine Art Consultation

Gintchin Fine Art offers a 30 minute no-obligation complimentary art consultation. Having designed and built gallery walls in home, office, corporate, and art gallery interiors I can help you make the right choice. If you need advice on choosing the right photograph, print size, print medium, frame option, hanging system, etc. I can help. Take advantage of my experience and skills, and request your no-pressure art consulting session today.

Request Consultation
Home decor with Gintchin Fine Art panoramic print of a mountain sunrise with fall colors in a modern interior
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Choosing a Frame for a Landscape Print: How To – Practical Guide

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A contemporary living room with a couch and a panoramic framed print above it for interior design

Choosing a Frame for a Landscape Print: How To – Practical Guide

How do you choose the right frame for a landscape print? Mounting a high quality frame around a landscape print can create an impressive piece of wall art. When done right, it can make the print really stand out and transform a room interior. However, the framing options are so numerous that it can be difficult to decide which one fits your landscape print best. Using quality materials alone does not guarantee a great result. The frame and liner type must be carefully selected in order to bring out the best in the print. This article gives you practical tips on making the right choice. If you are considering having a landscape print framed but are unsure which frame would best compliment it, keep reading.

Should you have your landscape print framed?

Whether you should frame a landscape print, or not, can be answered in different ways. Personally I don’t believe there is one right answer. Therefore, I would not tell any of my customers they should, or should not, frame a print. There are benefits to either option. Here are some thoughts on each side of the argument:

Why frame?

Any time a piece of wall art is framed it creates a separation between the art and the wall. It marks a clear delineation between the print and the rest of the room interior. When done well, the frame makes the art print stand out. It guides the viewer’s eyes straight onto the image itself.

A frame around a landscape print also makes it more complete. It adds an element of wholeness around its contours that accentuates the art in a more prominent way.

Finally, framing a landscape print properly can bring a classic fine art gallery, or museum, style mood to the room. It makes a powerful statement, which can cause the wall art to dominate the interior in a very positive way. A large format, framed landscape print can literally transform a room in a way that few other forms of home decor can.

Why not frame?

As I have written in Understanding the Value of Nature Photography Prints, that the value of art is subjective. The frame of a landscape print is part of the art and the value it brings is also subjective. Some people simply prefer the look of frameless prints. There is nothing wrong with that. If you are one of those art collectors this is a reason to not have your art print framed.

Another reason to not frame your landscape print is because you want a clean, simple, and minimalist style. Some people prefer just that. In addition, if your room already has that contemporary look and feel to it, a fine art gallery style print may not fit best.

A third reason you may skip the frame, with the purchase of a new landscape print, is cost. Adding a frame to any art usually costs more. Placing a cheap frame on an expensive print does not make sense. Therefore, a good quality frame will add to the price tag. Furthermore, frames add to the overall art physical dimensions and weight, which adds to shipping costs. For these reasons, if you are working with a limited budget you may want to buy a frameless, ready to hang, mounted print.

 

Frame types

When we examine the industry landscape for print frames the options are quite vast. There are literally thousands of frame styles. Among others, they vary by profile, width, color, and material.

  • Profile – Some of them are simple, flat, and clean. Others have concave or convex profile shapes. Yet others are really elaborate and come in rather complex profiles with curves, decoration, etc.

  • Width – Most frame widths measure between ½ and 5 inches. Nevertheless, there are all types of custom sizes, which are outside of this range. Typically, the larger the print the wider the frame. However, this is not true 100% of the time.

  • Color – Art frames come in as many colors as probably one can imagine. Some of them are painted and others are just stained, displaying the natural grain of the wood they are made of.

  • Material – A wide variety is used to manufacture frames. Most common, as well as the highest quality frames, are made out of wood or metal. Less expensive versions are made out of mdf or plastic.

This article is not meant to focus on the examination of all frames styles however. It aims to give examples of what I call “gallery style” frame options. The highest quality kind that you will see in a fine art nature and landscape photography gallery. My goal is to provide recommendations for the art collector within some of those options. I aim to provide advice on choosing the best frame for your landscape print.

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Framing variations for a landscape print

Just as there are multiple frame type options for landscape prints, there are different variations in the framing approach. Here I consider the two most common types:

Frame + print

This style is used when there is no border between the outer edge of the print and the inner edge of the frame. It creates a little simpler overall look and tends to work better with flat and clean contemporary frames. This scenario is out of the scope of this article.

A panoramic close-up of fall color aspen leaves, framed print without a liner
Magical Leaves

Fall Aspen Foliage | Kebler Pass, Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 100

Frame + liner/mat board + print

In this case there is space between the landscape print and the frame. Usually that space is filled with a liner or a mat board. The liner is a textile fabric stretched over a wooden frame, and sits between the print and the actual frame. Liners are commonly seen on high end framed fine art photography and are more expensive. The mat board (or mat) is made of layered paper board, which can come in various textures and colors.

This style of framing opens many possibilities for combinations of frames and liners. They do not work equally well. Therefore, choosing the right frame/liner/photo combination is an art form itself. The section below outlines some examples and is followed by recommendations.

A panoramic close-up of fall color aspen leaves, framed print with a black liner
Magical Leaves

Fall Aspen Foliage | Kebler Pass, Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 100

Choosing the right frame for a landscape print

Buying an expensive frame for your fine art landscape print alone, does not guarantee an impressive final result. Some combinations work better than others as there are different factors affecting the outcome. In the sections below I examine combinations with various options for: image brightness, wall brightness, frame brightness, and liner color. 

It is important to mention that there is no way I can explore every single possibility because the options are endless. However, I focus on some of the most basic scenarios. Let’s take a look at a few examples:

 

Image brightness

A landscape photographer works with all types of light, which produce many kinds of images. Some are bright, others are dark, yet others are somewhere in between. Nevertheless, the overall image brightness affects the choice for selecting the right framing combination.

In the examples below all things are equal, except that the first image is brighter and the second is darker.

A full moon print, framed in a grey frame and a white liner
The Loveliest Landscape

Full Moon Landscape | Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 50

A mountain sunset with rich fall colors and aspens, framed in a grey frame
Autumn Splendor

Rich Fall Colors | Crested Butte, Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 100

Observe how the first one (the brighter) works better in this case. At the same time, the second (darker) image seems to overwhelm the bright liner and frame. It almost makes the frame unnoticeable. I believe that darker images work better with darker frames and liners in general.

Wall brightness

The wall color, on which the framed print will be hung, also makes a difference. While room colors come in all hues and tones, I will focus on simply bright vs dark neutral colors. Take a look at the examples below. Which one do you like better?

A mountain valley with lots of yellow aspens and a waterfall, framed in a dark frame
God's Canvas

Bridal Veil Falls | Telluride, Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 50

A mountain valley with lots of yellow aspens and a waterfall, framed in a dark frame
God's Canvas

Bridal Veil Falls | Telluride, Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 50

In the first example the wall and the frame have similar darkness level. This combination removes any contrast between the two. The wall almost absorbs the frame, which defeats the purpose of having it in the first place.

However, in the second example there is a nice contrast between wall and frame because the wall is brighter. The difference is very visible and now we have a nice separation which makes the wall art very prominent.

Frame brightness

The brightness of the frame also affects the final look of the landscape print on the wall. Similarly to the examples above, the goal here is to create some separation between frame and wall. If their color choices create low contrast the overall look will not be that great. This time you will see 3 examples. Wall, liner, and image are the same across the board and the only thing different is the frame.

A panoramic image of an aspen forest framed with a dark frame
Aspen Multitude

Independence Pass | Aspen, Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 100

A panoramic image of an aspen forest framed with a brown frame
Aspen Multitude

Independence Pass | Aspen, Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 100

A panoramic image of an aspen forest framed with a gray frame
Aspen Multitude

Independence Pass | Aspen, Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 100

In the 1st and the 3d example we see nice contrast and the art stands out. However, I would say that in the second example it is not so much the case. The frame’s brightness is similar to that of the wall, and this is not helpful. If I had to rate these 3 examples, starting with the best, I would rate them this way: 3, 1, then 2.

Liner color

The last component I would like to mention, affecting the final look of a framed landscape print, is the liner color. Again, liners and mats come in numerous tones and hues, but the most classic ones are black or white. Therefore, I will focus on these two.

A full moon print, framed in a grey frame and a white liner
The Loveliest Landscape

Full Moon Landscape | Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 50

A full moon print, framed in a grey frame and a black liner
The Loveliest Landscape

Full Moon Landscape | Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 50

Notice how elegant the first example is with a white liner. However, if we change it to a black liner it drastically changes the look for the worse. The black liner is so dominant that it overpowers the frame and almost ruins the entire look.

Now let’s examine the reverse scenario, where the black liner actually works better.

A framed print of Meteora Greece with a sunset and monasteries - white liner
Ancient Beauty

Meteora Sunset | Greece | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 100

A framed print of Meteora Greece with a sunset and monasteries - black liner
Ancient Beauty

Meteora Sunset | Greece | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 100

Observe how the white liner is a little distracting. Because this image has more intense darker colors, the overall contrast is a bit strong. Human eyes are naturally drawn to brightness and colors. Given that neither the colors, nor the brightness in the image are strong, our eyes are more drawn to the liner because it is brightest.

On the other hand, the black liner fits much nicer. Instead of drawing attention to itself (as does the white one), it guides your eyes straight into the image, which is exactly what we want. Now we get the feeling of looking through a window, into the beauty of Meteora.

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Recommendations on choosing a frame for a landscape print

When you are choosing the right frame for your landscape photo print it is worth doing it right. You want a striking combination that compliments the image and your home interior. If you are investing in a fine art landscape print, it is worth choosing a frame that will make the art stunning.

Given the above 4 elements: wall brightness, frame brightness, liner color, and image brightness, I would like to provide some simple guidelines:

  • Strive to create contrast between the wall and the frame. Do not allow the wall to “absorb” the frame to the point of it being almost unnoticeable.

  • Do not allow the image to overpower the liner and the frame. This is another way to diminish the effect of the framing effect.

  • Avoid a liner color that overpowers both image and frame. It screams for attention and takes away from the main object – the photograph.

In addition, I am providing a simple matrix (see below). I am using some of the more common scenarios and it is by no means an exhaustive list. If you have 4 elements to play with, and each can come with multiple options, the possibilities will be limitless. Therefore, I outline only 36 variations.

Keep in mind that these are my personal recommendations as a fine art nature and landscape photographer. There is no scientific formula here and this is my opinion. If you go and ask 10 different people on this subject you might get 10 different answers. However, what you see here is what I believe works and what doesn’t work.

My hope is to provide a simple way to help you quickly narrow down the right choice for you. My advice is to avoid the combinations that I have indicated with “NO” in the “Recommendation” column. When it comes to the “Maybes”… you will have to decide what works best for you. Anything marked with a “YES” I believe has the strong potential to make a powerful statement on a wall.

A matrix chart showing how to choose a picture frame for a landscape photo print

Examples of framed landscape prints that work well

In the section below I have compiled some examples that I believe work really well. Enjoy!

A framed print of a field with dramatic red clouds and skies

Preparing Earth

Dramatic Skies | Boulder, Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 100

A framed print of a mountain valley with a river and colorful clouds

Peaceful Glow

Mt Bellview | Elk Mountains, Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 100

A framed print of Manarola, Italy with colorful houses on a sea shore

By the Sea

Manarola | Cinque Terre, Italy | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 100

A framed print of white aspen tree trunks and colorful fall foliage

Color Palette

Independence Pass | Aspen, Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 100

Additional considerations when framing a landscape print

There are some additional items you may want to consider when choosing the right frame for your landscape print.

The color of the frame sometimes can nicely compliment the image if similar colors or tones are found in the photograph itself. The color of the frame can also compliment the interior if the room has any decor with matching colors. On the other hand, there are some cases where a particular color may not work well with an image. One example is a warm color frame with a predominantly cold color image or vice versa. I find that colorful images work well with neutral colored frames like dark and gray. They also work well with non-neutral colored frames, which match the color tones in the image.

Furthermore, the liner can slightly change the mood of the overall art statement. For example, you may have a combination that works well with both a white and a black liner. However, you will notice that the black liner creates a little bit of a more serious mood that commands respect. While the white liner is more light-hearted and elegant, the black is more gripping and demanding acclaim. Neither is wrong or right, but they can slightly affect the overall mood. So then it comes down to your preference.

Final thoughts

This article is meant to guide your choice of frame for a landscape print, and not to prescribe. As I mentioned above – choosing the right frame for your art, is art itself. There is no black and white formula and it takes a keen eye to discern the best framing selection in any situation. My hope is that the tips I have provided prove helpful to you.

If you are stuck, it is always valuable to visualize the art choice on your wall. If you don’t know how to do that, read How to visualize fine art prints on your wall?. Finally, if you are considering buying any of my fine art landscape prints I would be happy to assist you in the right frame choice. Feel free to reach out and let me know how I can help.

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How to visualize fine art prints on your wall?

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A panorama of wildflowers, sea water, mountains, and a tiny island village in Senja, Norway - Gintchin Fine Art

How to visualize fine art prints on your wall?

The ability to visualize art prints on your wall before buying is a skill that can save you headaches. Whether you are an art curator, art collector, interior designer, or purchasing fine art for the very first time you will benefit from art visualization. Some people have a natural ability to look at a piece of art and know how it will look inside a room. Others need to see some form of rendition, before they can imagine. This article discusses the benefits of wall art visualization and equips you with practical tools of how you can do that.

Why visualize art prints on your wall

If you are about to purchase any sort of wall art it is important to visualize how it would come together in your home, office, or other interior space. Whether you do this in your head or with the help of a tool is less important. What matters is that you are not negatively surprised when it is all done and hanging on your wall.

The result of such a decision will not be pleasant, especially if you spent a good amount of money. High quality fine art is not cheap and if you found yourself in such a situation it would be disappointing. At that point you would have three options, and neither one is really great.

One, if the artist or gallery where you made the purchase accepts returns, you could proceed with that. However, this is often a big hassle, because you have to be very careful to package and return the expensive art piece in its original condition. Also, depending on their policy you may have to pay a restocking fee. Finally, you may be able to get a refund or you may need to choose another piece of wall art.

Two, if a return is not an option, you could try reselling it. This might be challenging though as you may not have the experience of selling fine art. Even if you succeed you may end up getting only a portion of the money you invested in the first place.

Three, the worst case scenario is that you are stuck with something you don’t really like. At that point you get to look at it every day, put it in storage, or give it away to a loved one.

Therefore, if you are not sure about the wall art you are buying, spend the effort to visualize it before the purchase. That way you can save yourself and the art seller some unnecessary headaches.

A panoramic fine art image of a tree silhouette on a gallery wall

How can visualizers help display artwork on an interior wall?

Visualizers are valuable tools that aid in displaying artwork within an interior space. These applications offer the convenience of visualizing how a particular photo or artwork will appear within your living room or any other setting. By utilizing preset photos of diverse interiors or by simply uploading a photo of your own living room, visualizers enable you to superimpose the artwork onto the walls virtually.

To create a visualization, you can download a digital print of the desired photography onto your computer, and then leverage one of these user-friendly applications / methods. Ultimately, visualizers provide an effective means of gauging the potential impact and aesthetic suitability of artwork within your chosen space.

Aspects of wall art prints visualization

When it is time to visualize fine art prints on your wall you need to consider two aspects.

Art image

First, ensure that the image itself will fit nicely into your interior, regardless of print size. Ensure that the art mood, style, and color scheme works well with the rest of your room. Just because you may be in love with the photograph itself does not mean it will look lovely on your wall. How it looks on a gallery wall may be different from how it will look in your home or office. Things like wall color, lighting, furniture, and room decor will all affect the final result. Therefore, you need to visualize how the art will look inside your particular wall space.

Read: Interior Design With Nature Photography: Complete Guide

Art size

The second aspect of the art print to visualize on your wall is its physical size. You may be restricted by factors such as: wall space size, wall shape, budget, etc. In either case, you want to know that you are purchasing the print size, which will look best on your wall. You don’t want it to be too small, neither too large. For this reason, whatever means of art visualization you choose, make sure that you are using a true to life size. Meaning be sure to envision how the exact art size will look on your wall.

Read: How to Choose the Right Print Size for Your Wall

Fall color leaves and bushes with white aspen trunks - Small
Color Palette

Independence Pass | Aspen, Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 100

Ways to visualize art prints on your wall

So what are different ways to visualize your wall art prints? In the section below I discuss three different methods. Depending on your resources, skills, and time you may find one more useful than another. In some cases you may decide to use more than one method.

Physical - DIY

Using masking tape or paper is the least sophisticated way. You can simply place white masking tape on the wall in a rectangular shape that matches the real wall art size. That way you can very quickly get a rough idea of what you are looking for. Additionally, you can cut out a large piece of paper, matching the art size, and tape that on the wall. Whichever method, you can play with different sizes until you find the one that best fits your interior.

I have to mention that using tape or paper for wall art print visualization has one limitation. It allows you to only visualize the print size on your wall. That means you will not see how the image itself fits into your room. Therefore, this method might be useful if you have already selected the actual image and are firm on that choice. Then it would only be a matter of figuring out the right size. In addition, this method could be very helpful if you are thinking of combining two or more wall art prints and want to visualize their positioning.

Digital - DIY

A first choice for many is to use software such as Photoshop. Obviously if you are a Photoshop user you are most likely not in need of this article. Therefore, I will not focus on that.

There are a number of different products out there which would allow you to visualize art prints on your wall with a few simple tasks. There are two potential downsides however. One, you may need to pay for using them. Two, many of them are catered for artists. This means that in order for you to visualize the artist’s art, they need to be set up with a particular art visualization provider.

Therefore, I want to point out a really great FREE option to visualize wall art prints. It is provided by a German printmaking company and is very easy to use. This is a simple web application that you can use on your computer (NOTE: A mobile version does not seem to be available at the time of this writing).

Simply use the link above to start visualizing any photo print or wall art. The website comes with several room interiors as part of its library. The best part however is the fact that you can upload your own room picture. This gives you the perfect opportunity to see how an image will look inside your own space.

All you need to do is this:

  • Take a picture of the room wall on which you want to visualize an art print. Make sure that your camera is facing the wall directly and not at an angle. Otherwise your visualization will look off.
  • Have a photo of the image you are considering for purchase. If you cannot download it from the artist’s website request a low resolution image directly from them.
  • Open the FREE wall app in a browser.
  • In the upper left corner, select the first room option – “Your room” and upload your photo.
  • Then click the middle panel – “DRAG YOUR ARTWORK HERE” and upload the art image.
  • Use your mouse to change its position and size.
  • Finally, save that wall art print visualization and/or reset the room/art to start over (bottom center buttons).

Digital - getting help

The third option you have when you visualize art prints on a wall is to ask the seller for help. Most photographers will gladly help you out to ensure you are buying the right masterpiece for your interior. Some fine art galleries offer this option as well. Depending on the case you may have to pay a small fee. However, it never hurts to ask and see if they offer it as a complimentary service. On the other hand, even if it costs you something, it would be better than buying a wall art piece that you are not entirely happy with.

Going with this option may ensure the most accurate results. I say this because the people that do this have experience and know how to create exact and realistic art visualizations. What you have to remember is that you still have a part to play here. That is, you have to provide an image of your wall and a true point of size reference. That way the artist can create a true to life rendition.

This leads to my next point – the importance of a size measuring reference

Orange aspens and fall color shrubs with Colorado mountains in the background - Small
Autumn's Peak

Dallas Divide, Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 100

Visualizing the art print size accurately on your wall

A successful visualization of fine art will help you decide the right print size for your wall. Therefore, once you have created a rendition you like, you need a way to know how that rendition translates into the physical size of the print.

In other words, imagine that you use the free online tool I mentioned above. You can scale the art to a size that looks appealing to you. But how will you know what that size is in real life? How do you know what size print to order? Keep reading.

First you need to use a reference point. Second you need to use that reference to calculate the exact art size. In simple terms it works like this:

  1. Measure something physical in your room, which will be part of your room photo, such as a bed.
  2. Measure that bed in pixels (or another unit – more details below) in the actual photo after taking it.
  3. Measure the print size in pixels (or another unit) on the screen.
  4. Convert the screen size of the print to a physical size.

So, let’s repeat the above steps in more detail.

1. Measure a physical reference point

We will take the example of a bed. Let’s assume that you used a carpenter’s measure tape and found that its width was 80 inches.

2. Measure the reference point on the screen

After you have taken the room image with the bed in it, measure its width again on the computer screen. A pixel perfect way to do that would be by using any free pixel measuring tool, such as Online pixel ruler. If this is too much for you, simply put a school measuring ruler on your screen and measure in inches or millimeters. Let’s say, in our example, that the width is 300 pixels. Therefore, we now know that 1 inch in our room is the same as 3.75 pixels on the screen – 300/80 = 3.75.

3. Measure the print size

Use the same measuring method, you used for the bed, to measure the print size on the screen. Let’s assume the print size comes to 400 pixels.

4. Convert the print size

The last step is to convert the size of the print from pixels to inches. So let’s review what we know so far: a.) 1 inch = 3.75 pixels and b.) the print measures 400 pixels on the screen.

Therefore, 400/3.75 = 106.66 inches. This means that if you were to get a print 106 inches wide and hand it above that bed, it will look like what you saw in the visualization.

A bedroom with a fine art image above and size measurements

Visualizing the art print brightness on your wall

One last consideration to keep in mind when visualizing wall art prints in digital format is the image brightness. In other words, how bright will the art print appear on your wall?

When creating a digital visualization rendition there is no way to perfectly display the brightness of the art, as it will appear in real life. The final outcome will be largely affected by the brightness and lighting of your room. Therefore, keep in mind that there might be some variation between what you saw in a digital visualization versus what you see after hanging the print on your wall.

Conclusion

Buying fine art prints is an art form itself and visualizing the end result on the wall is an important aspect. Whether you are a skilled art buyer who can naturally do that in your head or you need tools, visualizing the final look is essential. Otherwise you may be creating a home decor that is not optimal.

As a landscape and nature photographer I have created visual renditions for my customers in the past. If you are considering purchasing any of my gallery prints and need help visualizing them on your wall, please contact me.

Frosted aspen trees with snow panorama - Small

Snow Brushed

Winter Park | Berthoud Pass, Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 50

Cottonwood tree against pink clouds sunrise - Small

Colorful Beginning

Vibrant Sunrise | Front Range, Colorado | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 100

An ocean wave under a crimson red sunset and sky with clouds and red sand, Mexico - Small

Crimson Twilight

Pacific Sunset | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | FINE ART PHOTO PRINT – LIMITED EDITION 50

Maroon Bells Winter Photography: A Trip in Solitude

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A winter panorama of Maroon Bells, Colorado with snow covered mountains and aspen and evergreen trees

Maroon Bells Winter Photography: A Trip in Solitude

Maroon Bells winter photography can be quite an exhilarating experience. This Colorado gem is a popular landscape photography destination, especially during the fall. For this reason it can become rather crowded. However, during the winter it can be enjoyed in solitude. In this blog I share my quite special solo experience, which happened on a January morning.

The idea

Previously I had visited Maroon Bells multiple times on photography trips, but never in winter. However, I had the opportunity to be in Aspen on a January weekend, and got inspired to try something I had not done before. Namely, to be at Maroon Lake with my camera gear before sunrise, and to capture an early morning winter panorama.

During the spring, summer, and fall getting there is easy because one can drive up to the lake. However, in the winter the road is closed and the 6 mile stretch has to be traveled by different means. Some people rent snowmobiles. Others travel on foot, with snowshoes, cross-country skis, or fat bikes.

I happen to love cross country skiing and also own a pair of skis. So that was the clear choice for me. The challenge however, was the part where I had to be at the lake at least 30 minutes before sunrise. That meant I had to get up very early and travel in the dark. Hiking or skiing in the dark was something I had done many times before in pursuit of unique fine art nature photography opportunities. For this reason I welcomed this new challenge.

Skiing in the dark

In order to catch my Maroon Bells winter photography opportunity I set my alarm for 4am. However, experiences like this get me excited and my sleep is usually not very deep the night before. Not surprisingly, I happened to wake up at 2:30 am and never fell asleep again. So I just stayed in my bed awake until 4am.

Soon after I was outside and on my skis. It was quiet and calm, and surprisingly not cold. The air was crisp and clean and I could feel my body move smoothly through the dark, even though I had not slept that much. The exhilaration of being in the mountains and feeling nature with my entire body gave me an adrenaline rush.

A winter photography opportunity to capture Maroon Bells was very inspiring. Regardless, I was fully content in that moment and simply enjoyed the experience. On previous trips I would be entirely focused on the landscape photography aspect and would forget to smell the roses. Not on this early morning however. I was present and soaked the adventure.

I had ridden my bike on this road before, but traveling it on skis, and in complete darkness, was a first for me. There was a thick cloud cover and no moon or stars. Some ambient, dim light from the town of Aspen reflected in the clouds behind me. In front of me, to the left of Pyramid Peak, was an open valley. Above its horizon I could see ambient light reflecting in the clouds from Crested Butte.

Every so often I would stop, turn off my headlight, and listen. The only sound I could hear was the water flow of Maroon Creek down below me. Although it was quite dark, the snow made it possible to make out the mountains and the hills. It was a pretty special and unique encounter with nature.

About half an hour before reaching my destination the view opened up. The Maroon Bells silhouettes loomed in front of me in the winter darkness and I appreciated this Colorado landscape photography trip even more. I could see them standing tall as they looked spectacular and unobstructed by clouds.

Beautiful Maroonbells snow covered mountains illuminated by orange sunrise light - Small
Radiance

Maroon Bells Sunrise | Aspen, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 50

Photographing Maroon Bells

Shortly after, I arrived at the lake. By now the early signs of dawn were present and I could see the whole valley and the mountains around me. Just as I was setting up my tripod and camera a wind came out and it became cold very quickly. Therefore, I rushed to put on extra clothes and began moving in order to keep my body warm. I paced back and forth with my skis along the lake side and began waiting for the sunrise.

However, the sunrise I had hoped for never came. The cloud cover was so thick and wide that the rising sun was completely blocked. At that point I began waiting for my Maroon Bells winter photography – plan B. The goal was to wait till later in the morning with hopes that the clouds would break up and the sun would illuminate the impressive mountains. By now the wind had stopped, but I continued to move and enjoy the additional skiing.

At one point I noticed a gorgeous wooden bench right on the side of the snow-covered lake. I sat down and completely relaxed. My body was tired but my spirit was soaring. The air was absolutely still. The only sounds were that of gentle moving water and the occasional crow of a raven. The mountains, the valley, the trees, and the snow were perfectly still. It was as if time had stopped.

I sat, marveled, prayed, and gave thanks. It was a privilege to experience this beauty in such an exclusive way – completely alone in this stunning terrain. This is a moment that one cannot experience with a busy life-style in the city. So I cherished it while it lasted.

Not long after, the sunshine started piercing the clouds. Patches of bright light lingered playfully along the mountain slopes, as the clouds kept moving at a steady pace. The sky slowly started opening up and it was time to capture the beauty of this live panorama.

Jagged peaks of Maroon Bells with white clouds and blue skies, and an aspen forest during winter - Small
Glorious

Maroon Bells | Aspen, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 50

The trip back

A winter photography experience of Maroon Bells can be very rewarding. Not only because of capturing a striking image, but also because of the views along the way. After spending nearly 3 and a half hours at the lake I started my descent. By now the sun was bright and in full swing. I was effortlessly zooming down on my skis feeling completely elated and joyful.

On my way I saw other people going up and enjoying the breathtaking winter wonderland. I briefly talked to a couple. When I remarked that “it doesn’t get any more beautiful than this”, the man answered: “This is cross-country skiing inside a postcard”. He was right. The views and the weather were so mesmerizing that it is hard to describe with words or pictures. One has to experience it first-hand to know what I am talking about.

I could not help myself and took photography advantage of one more Maroon Bells winter view. It is a composition that most people miss. Therefore, I pulled out the camera again and captured my second fine art landscape photograph that morning. When I named it, the word that came to my mind was “Glorious”. It was what I felt looking at the mountains in real life and it is what I feel looking at the picture afterwards.

Any time I get a chance to be out and appreciate our natural world I am happy. The majestic scenery I often witness is unforgettable and there is no substitute for seeing it firsthand. Nevertheless, I do my best to capture the natural world beauty and bring it to life in high quality landscape photo prints. That way people can own a window to nature in their own home, as wall decor. Enjoy!

Maroon Bells Wall Art Prints For Sale


Maroon Bells prints are now available for purchase as large-format wall art. Elevate your space by ordering an oversized print and completely transform your environment, establishing an impressive focal point on your wall.

A vertical shot of the Maroon Bells mountains, near Aspen, Colorado, reflected in the calm water of Maroon Lake with beautiful fall colors and fresh snow - Gintchin Fine Art
Maroon Bells Colors
Limited Edition Print
$2200 – $5800
A unique panoramic view of the Maroon Bells peaks near Aspen, Colorado with golden aspen trees during the fall and fresh snow on the mountains
A Harvest of Color
Limited Edition Print
$2100 – $8800
Maroon Bells mountains near Aspen, Colorado, reflected in the lake with peak fall colors - Gintchin Fine Art
Grand Bells
Limited Edition Print
$2200 – $5800
Jagged peaks of Maroon Bells with white clouds and blue skies, and an aspen forest during winter
Glorious
Limited Edition Print
$2200 – $5800
A winter panorama of Maroon Bells, Colorado with snow covered mountains and aspen and evergreen trees
Portrait of a Mountain
Limited Edition Print
$2100 – $8800
Beautiful Maroonbells snow covered mountains illuminated by orange sunrise light
Radiance
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What is a Triptych Print?

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A beautiful panoramic triptych print of wildflowers on a white brick wall above a blue sofa interior

What is a Triptych Print?

What in the world is a triptych print? Is it a good choice of wall art? This blog explains this form of art decor, specifically to photo prints. It examines the different types of triptychs as well as some pros and cons.

Triptych print definition

A triptych print (pronounced “triptik”) simply is a piece of wall art composed of three separate pieces. The word “triptych” comes from the Greek “triptychos”, which means “having three folds“. While a triptych can be represented as a photographic artwork, it is not the only art medium. Originally triptychs were used in Cristian art in the form of altar paintings, which were hinged together. Today triptychs are seen in all kinds of art such as paintings, carved panels, wall decor, and photography artwork.

However, for the purposes of this blog I will focus primarily on triptych fine art prints.

Types of triptych prints

There are different combinations of triptychs, determined by the image size, shape and positioning of the separate parts on the wall.

Panel shapes & sizes

The most common scenario is when the image is split into 3 equal parts. This means that the shape and size of the print panels are identical in shape and size. For example, those can be 3 square shapes for an overall panoramic image with a total ratio of 1:3. Alternatively, the wall art can be split into 3 vertical rectangles when the overall image is a square or a standard 2:3 photograph.

A beautiful triptych print of a desert canyon on a wall above a gray sofa interior
Desert Solitude

Coal Mine Canyon, Arizona | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 50

A beautiful triptych print of mountain and wildflowers on a white brick wall above a blue sofa interior
Standing Out

Lupin Wildflowers | Gothic, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 100

Although less common, the 3 pieces may be composed of parts that are not equal in shape. Below are two examples of those.

Triptych model 1
Triptych model 2

Furthermore, triptych prints vary by the direction of their “cutting”. Meaning, was the image separated horizontally, vertically, or both. In my observation however, in most cases the cutting is vertical.

Wall positioning

Triptych prints can also differ in the way they are positioned on the wall. It is quite typical for the panels to be perfectly aligned in a straight line. This especially is the case when they compose a larger single photograph. Therefore, the final piece looks a little bit like a giant puzzle of 3 elements. Every now and again though, a triptych is made of pieces, not positioned in a straight line.

Triptych model 3

Another variation in wall positioning is the distance between the separate prints. Depending on the overall size of the triptych this distance can vary. However, the main difference I am trying to point out is that sometimes there is a distance between the panels, and other times they are touching each other. There is really no rule here and this is a matter of personal taste. Also, when the choice is made to separate the prints the gap between them is a matter of personal choice.

Single vs multiple images

Again, starting with the most common scenario a triptych print consists of one single photograph, separated into 3 pieces. Nevertheless, this is not always the case. One example is when different abstract images are combined together. Another example is when the images are separate photographs but of a similar object/theme and they complement each other.

Interior design with Gintchin Fine Art triptych of abstract photo art above a black sofa modern interior

Advantages and disadvantages of triptychs

Although triptych prints can look quite elegant as wall decor, there are some considerations to be aware of. This next section briefly describes the pros and cons.

Advantages

Larger Prints – Imagine that you have found a fine art nature photography masterpiece that will perfectly match your interior and you are ready to purchase it. You talk to the artist photographer and explain that you want to go really big and therefore the size you want is 40×120 inches. You further mention that you cannot afford that size in acrylic, so you have decided to go with a metal print. The photographer explains that the largest size any printmaker can produce in metal is 96 inches. For this reason the largest print size you can get is 32×96. Well in this case you can opt for a triptych print and get what you want. You can separate the image in 3 squares of 40×40 inches and end up with the overall size you are looking for.

Something different – Whenever a single image is separated into 3 parts it creates a more unique form of art than what we are used to traditionally. Even though not everyone likes triptychs they are a different form of wall decor expression for those who do appreciate them.


Transportation & shipping – If you are ordering a triptych print, chances are that it will be easier to ship and/or transport. The larger the overall artwork size, the more relevant this point will be. For example, if you order a triptych and have it shipped the 3 pieces can be packed into a single box which will be a third of the size. Therefore, if you are paying for shipping you will save some money there. Another scenario might be where you have purchased a print off a fine art gallery wall and are taking it home with you. Once again, you can transport 3 pieces much easier than a single larger one.

Disadvantages

Requires precision – There are some considerations when splitting a single image into 3 pieces. This is determined by your choice of having a gap or not (see section above – Wall positioning) between the panels, once they are mounted on a wall. If your choice is to have the panels touch things are pretty straightforward and the photo just needs to be split into perfectly equal parts. However, if you decide to have a gap you may consider having an actual strip removed from the original image, where the cut will appear. For example, imagine that you decide to have a 1 inch gap between the panels. That means that the two cuts need to be 1 inch wide strips removed from the original photograph. The reason for this is so that when the final prints are mounted 1 inch apart the continuation from one to the other will be natural. If no strip is removed and there is a gap it may look a bit weird. This will be more pronounced with larger gaps.

Nevertheless, regardless of whether a gap or not is left on the wall, the printmaker will have to be very precise in splitting and printing the image with quality. This is necessary, so that the final product will look great on your wall.

Odd with some photos – Usually every photograph has one or more main objects in it. This is also the case with landscape photography where you can have a mountain, a tree, a rock, or some other natural object. Depending on the position of this object, a tryptic may not be the best option. For example, if the cut happens to be straight through the main object of the photograph. Imagine an image of a gorgeous tree which is split into three parts and one of those splits happens to be straight down the middle of the tree. You may not like that very much.

Challenging wall mount – There is nothing like buying a high quality fine art print and mounting it crooked on the wall. This is crucial with a single print and is even more important with a triptych. The challenge here is that the panels have to line perfectly and the gaps between them need to be straight and equal. This type of a wall mount requires a lot more skill and precision.

Limited framing choice – If you are an art collector who really likes framed prints, a triptych may not be your best option. I will say that there are some cases when a thin simple frame may look good on a triptych. However, I would argue that a wide frame, especially if a liner is added, will not look very appealing on the wall. It will be in a sense the opposite of contemporary fine art. Therefore, triptychs may limit the frame choice because they may not look elegant in all cases.

Should you get a triptych

If you are ready to purchase your next fine art print, should you actually go with a triptych or stick to a single piece? I would not venture to advise you one way or another. However, I will advise you to consider the following. First, ensure that you really find the final look more than that of a solid print. Second, make sure that whoever will be producing the print will actually do a precise job of cutting and printing. Third, be sure that you have a way to correctly hang the 3 pieces on your wall. Finally, confirm that the splits are occurring in a way that will not compromise the main objects and the overall look of the image.

A meandering river in a green mountain valley and a field of wildflowers, Crested Butte, Colorado - Small

Wonder Valley

Valley Wildflowers | Crested Butte, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 100

Colorful charming houses perched on a sea cliff overlooking the sea, Cinque Terre, Italy - Small

By the Sea

Manarola | Cinque Terre, Italy| LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 100

An abstract of naturally shaped heart looking sandstone with rich warm colors, Arizona - Small

The Heart

Antelope Canyon, Arizona | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 100

How to Choose the Right Print Size for Your Wall

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A beautiful print of yellow aspen trees on a stone wall above a modern fireplace interior

How to Choose the Right Print Size for Your Wall

Choosing the right print size for your art wall is important in order to create an elegant decor. Too small, and the fine art may lose its purpose in the room. Too big, and it may be overpowering. So how do you decide which print size to order? How do you make sure that the wall art you are buying will fit perfectly in your interior? Keep reading to learn about the considerations you should pay attention to.

Parameters when deciding the right print size

Before deciding the right print size for your wall you need to understand the parameters within which you can work. This matters especially when you are thinking of going big. Therefore, there are several factors that may or may not restrict you.

Max printing ability

Find out the maximum size that the photographer (or gallery), from whom you are buying, can offer. On one hand the maximum size is restricted by the quality of the actual image. If digital, the original file resolution and its quality will determine how large it can be printed? If it is a film image, the film type (large or medium format, or on 35mm) will guide the max print size? On the other hand, the maximum print size is also determined by the print lab where the artwork will be produced. Although many print shops these days can go quite large, not everyone offers the same capabilities.

If the image itself can be printed large, but the print lab’s abilities stop short of your desired size, consider these two options:

  • Ask the seller if they can find another printmaker who can produce the size you need.
  • Consider a tryptic. This means that instead of printing one large piece, the image can be printed on 3 separate equal sized pieces. These separate prints are then mounted next to each other on the wall to create a tile-style look.
Aspen trees displaying the full fall colors spectrum - Small
Autumn Brilliance

Fall Colors Spectrum | Kebler Pass, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 50

Budget

While printing large may not be an issue, you may be restricted in getting the right print size by your personal artwork budget. When high quality photos are printed in large format the price goes up very quickly. This is also exacerbated if the image needs to be shipped. Therefore, be sure to know what it will cost you to have the final masterpiece produced and delivered to your door.

Should you find out that it will be more expensive than you can afford, consider a different (less expensive) print medium. Maybe you are trying to purchase a large format TruLife® acrylic print. If so, consider purchasing a standard acrylic, which will save you some money. Another example would be if your goal is a large format framed print. In that case you may consider purchasing an unframed print, which can still look stunning, in order to fit your budget.

Wall size and features

Finally, when choosing the right print size you have to work within the restrictions of your wall. There are two aspects here. One is the obvious, which is the actual physical wall size. It is a no brainer and needs no further explanation. On the other hand you have to pay attention to the less obvious parts of your art wall. Home builders often place utility features in weird spots. Things like electrical outlets, light switches, thermostats, air-vents, etc. can sometimes get in the way of wall art.

However, if such a nuisance appears you can consider additional options. One, can you opt for a slightly smaller print, if a smaller size would still satisfy you? Two, check whether the photographer has another image that you really like, but in a different orientation? For example, maybe the image you want is horizontal, but if you chose a vertical print it would fit just fine on your wall. Three, consider using a different wall altogether.

A photo print of an ocean shore on a wall in a room with two armchairs and a table with flowers
Soothing Ocean

Soothing Ocean Waves | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 25

Room features

Every room is set-up differently and the type of that setup will influence the print size choice. The kind and size of the furniture, the size of the walls, the presence or absence of other art, will all affect the final choice.

Adjacent furniture

The right print size will be influenced by the furniture in the room. However, there is a very subtle, but important difference. Whether the art piece is right above a piece of furniture, such as a bed or a sofa, or there is nothing below it makes an impact. 

When the fine art print is on an empty wall you have a lot more options for different sizes. Even if there is furniture nearby, as long as it is not directly under the image, different sizes will look appealing. I believe that this is so because of how our brain works. When the wall art is directly above a sofa or a bed, we cannot but associate art with furniture. On the other hand, when the wall is clean all the way to the floor we perceive the image as free-standing. With no reference points almost any size would look good. That is why in fine art galleries you see prints of various sizes and it always looks good.

Therefore, when your print hangs directly above a sofa or a bed I recommend the following:

  • Panoramic print – I believe that when the print’s width is similar to that of the furniture it works the best. You can go slightly above or below but not by much. 
  • Horizontal 2×3 print – I recommend narrower (than the furniture) width, because you gain more vertically. In this case, if the print’s width is somewhere between 50-80% of the bed or sofa’s width, it will look good.

I am purposefully not commenting on the sizing of a vertical print here. The reason is that I do not recommend placing a vertical print above a horizontal piece of furniture, such as a sofa or a bed. In my opinion vertical prints look better in vertical, or narrower spaces. Examples would be tall fireplace walls, narrower pieces of wall in between 2 windows, empty vertical walls, etc.

Wall busyness

Decide the right print size by also considering any other decor on the same wall. For example if the wall is clean and there is no other art hanging you have more options for the print size. Nevertheless, if you already have other art, whether photographs or other forms, you may want to keep sizes similar to create consistency.

Focal point

Sometimes you want a print for your wall in order to make a bold statement and other times you want just to enhance the decor. If your goal is decor enhancement a smaller print size should work well. If you have other art in the room already, a similar print size will keep the interior flow undisturbed. However, if your goal is to create a powerful focal point in the room I would recommend that you go big. There is something about walking into a room and being immediately drawn to a wall masterpiece that you cannot remove your eyes from.

Big fine art print of golden aspen trees above a contemporary fireplace in a home interior
Guardians of the Forest

Bright Aspen Trees | Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 50

Viewing distance

The right print size has to be determined by considering the viewing distance. In other words, how far will one normally stand from the print in order to look at it. Therefore, the viewing distance and the print size have to be coordinated. You don’t want to strain your eyes trying to see a small image on a distant wall. Then again, being really close to a very large print may be uncomfortable also. I see 3 possible scenarios for viewing distance.

Always near

This is the case when the viewer has no choice in seeing the print from a distance. Examples would be a hallway, a bathroom, or another small space. Hanging a really large print in one of those areas would not be ideal. It would be hard to appreciate the full view that the image offers.

Always far

Most homes do not have walls that can only be viewed from a distance, but it does happen occasionally. Those settings are found in large stairwell structures or in very tall rooms. Regardless, when you choose to hang an art print on such a wall you have to choose a very large print size. Otherwise you risk having an underwhelming effect, in which case it might be better to leave the wall blank in the first place.

Both far and near

The most common scenario is when prints hang on such a wall that the viewer can look both from a distance and walk near to take a closer look. I believe that when this is the case most people step a bit further from the image in order to enjoy it. Yes, they may occasionally stick their nose to the print in order to examine the details. However, even if they do that they soon resume their distant position in order to soak the entire image in. Therefore, I recommend that you think about what would be the most often viewing distance/s and decide based on that. In other words, ask yourself what the best spots in the room are to view the wall art.

A panoramic print of mountains and fall colors above a contemporary sofa and interior
Twilight Peaks

Sneffels Range Fall Colors | Ridgway, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 100

Grouped prints

Although more rare, sometimes people decide to group several prints together on the same wall. If that is you I suggest the following. Decide how many prints you are buying, what shapes (aspect ratio and orientation) they will be, and their group arrangement. For more information, read the section GROUPING FINE ART PRINTS, in my blog Interior Design With Nature Photography: Complete Guide. You might also want to read What is a Triptych Print?.

Once you have made your decisions the entire print group will have some sort of a shape to it (most likely rectangular). My recommendation then would be to treat the entire group as if it were one big print, when it comes to selecting the size. Therefore, decide what the right print size would be, if it were one print, and use that as your guide.

Visualizing the right print size

Probably one of the most important things you can do to ensure you are getting the right print size is to visualize it. There are several options to imagine the final product size on your wall.

One of the easiest ways to do that is by using art visualizing software. If you are technology savvy you can choose from a variety of options. However, if this sounds intimidating don’t worry. I highly recommend this free online art visualizer, which is very easy to use. It gives you a number of already preloaded room choices. The best part is – if you look on the upper left you will see an option to upload your own room image. Therefore, you can use your phone to take a photo of your room wall, upload it in the visualizer, and then upload the art print image you want. Once you have done that you can easily change the print size and experiment with what works best for you. Pro tip: measure something in your room to give you a reference for real length, so that you can scale the print size to reality.

Another simple step you can take to visualize the right print size on your wall is to use tape or paper. Simply take some contrasting color masking tape and make a shape on your wall. Then stand back and examine to see how it fits. Alternatively, you can take a large sheet of paper and cut it to the desired size, which you can also tape to the wall.

Read: How to visualize fine art prints on your wall?

Conclusion

This article gives you various considerations when deciding the right fine art print size for your wall. While there is no magic black and white formula, there are certain principles that will help you narrow down the perfect art print size. The most important thing however, is that at the end the size works for you and your interior. If you happen to like something drastically different from what I have suggested above, my advice is that you follow your preference. Getting the right size is a form of art in itself. And if you decide to ignore everything that you just read, at the very least take the time to visualize your print size. If you are in the market for premium fine art nature photography I invite you to look through my online galleries. Good luck!

Black and white winter scene of a snowfield, aspen trees and Wilson Peak in the background - Small

Winter Serenity

Wilson Peak Winter | Telluride, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 50

A colorful hill of orange and yellow fall colors, illuminated by light and surrounded by mountains - Small

Light Amidst Darkness

Mount Sneffels | Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 50

Night moon shining over a big pointed rock and the ocean beach, Oregon - Small

Moondance

Haystack Rock | Oregon Coast | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 50

Understanding the Value of Nature Photography Prints

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A panorama of a huge evergreen tree canopy and a big tree trunk, Oregon

Understanding the Value of Nature Photography Prints

Knowing the value of nature photography prints when buying landscape images is important whether one is a seasoned art collector or a first time buyer. But how does one measure something that goes beyond a price tag? What are the considerations to think about? What are the factors that determine how much a photo print is worth to you personally? In this article I discuss 3 types of print value: extrinsic, intrinsic and personal.

WHAT IS VALUE

When discussing the value of nature photography prints, it is important to understand what “value” of anything really means. One definition is: “The regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something”. In addition, I would argue that value also means – what others are willing to pay for something.

Okay, but how do you put a price on a creative work? You pay to show it has a value to you. ~ Philip Lacasse, The Upside (Movie)

Art Value Is Subjective

I believe that the value of nature photography prints is often subjective. Why do I say that? Because everyone perceives nature art differently. If I show one of my prints to 5 people and ask: “How much money are you willing to pay for this?”, I will most likely get 5 different answers. Let me give you a personal example.

I used to sell some of my images on a fine art gallery wall in downtown Breckenridge, Colorado. One day I finished processing my (then) latest image – Burning Snow. Curious about my wife’s opinion I asked her if the image should be added to the gallery artwork in Breckenridge. She politely shrugged her shoulders and said that it was probably not worth spending the money. However, I really liked my new photo and decided to invest in printing it. Therefore, I ordered a 5 foot long, high gloss chromaluxe metal print and took it to Breckenridge. Minutes after I hung the wall art, a customer walked in. Soon he noticed the new print and seemed interested. We had a brief conversation, after which he called his wife, and then placed an order on the spot.

Snow covered meadow and pine trees with red jagged mountains in a sunset - Small
Burning Snow

Winter Sunset | Fletcher Mountain, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 200

EXTRINSIC VALUE

The brand name is one form of extrinsic value of nature photography prints. It is the value that others attribute to the brand. Who is the artist? Is he/she well known? Who else owns prints from this photographer? Where is their artwork exhibited? Is the artist known for offering high quality prints? How much do their prints sell for? Are the prints limited or open edition? Is the artist still alive? The answers to questions like these will play a large role on the monetary value of a photographic print. 

Print Medium & Quality

High quality print and mount materials increase the value of nature photography prints. All prints are not created equal as it matters a great deal what the print medium is, what the medium is mounted on, whether or not it is framed, what frame type is used, and so on. The visual presentation of an image makes a world of difference in the final look and feel. Just like an unintentionally blurry photo can ruin the art, a poor print format can make even a masterpiece look cheap or amateurish. Even the unsophisticated viewer can tell the difference between a high and a low quality photo print. Things like color rendition, color vibrancy, clarity and detail, light reflection, make an immediate and obvious impression. Again, when I used to sell prints in Breckenridge, I started out with framed canvas. After introducing high-gloss metal prints, it was as if the canvas ones became invisible to the customers. All they could see was the metal artwork. Needless to say, I replaced all the canvas images with metal ones. If you are curious to know more, I have written extensively on What Makes High Quality Nature Photo Prints.

INTRINSIC VALUE

When you buy a printed nature photograph you are buying more than the physical materials composing the product. Although important, they are just the conduit to present the final product.

More Than Paper & Mount

The value of nature photography prints is determined by much more than the print paper and the mount and/or frame materials. The real intrinsic value is brought by the unique qualities the artist brings into his/her art. Understanding that intrinsic value is important in order to fully appreciate what the individual photographer is offering.

For example, one aspect of the intrinsic value of nature photography prints is that they represent the unique vision of the artist. Nature photographers have one thing in common – they all enjoy the outdoors and have an immense appreciation for the beauty of nature. However, everyone sees and captures the physical world differently. For example, on a recent fall colors photo trip in Colorado I met another photographer and we decided to go and shoot together. After hours of hiking, talking, photographing, I got to know Tim quite well. We also compared images and found out that our individual approach to photography was very different. We literally stood next to each other, while shooting, only to capture the scene in a very distinctive way.

Another aspect of the intrinsic value of nature photography prints is determined by the unique photographer and nature encounter. Different artists may capture the same location/object but the rendered art will be often different. Weather seasons and light throughout the day will change the look of a place. Also, different photographers are drawn to different parts of the same location. Some like to zoom in. Others like to zoom out and capture wide scenes, etc. My main point is that different photographers can have exclusive experiences in the same location, leading to exclusive final results. Here is a personal example. I was recently impressed with the beauty of a location in the San Juan Mountains through someone else’s image. I went to check out the place myself and returned with a completely different photograph. If I showed you both images you might never guess that they were shot in the same area.

And this leads me to my final point about the intrinsic value of nature photography prints. This most important consideration is that a serious photographer pours their heart and soul into the work. When you buy a fine art nature photo print, you are buying the artist’s visual and emotional expression of nature. An artist who diligently strives to perfect his/her craft puts a tremendous amount of effort both out in the field and at home. The self discipline and diligence required (read the next section) can be very taxing. Nevertheless, those of us who spend countless hours and effort to capture a magnificent nature moment, do it with a heart and soul. And that heart and soul is permanently ingrained into the artwork. Now, how do you put a price on that?

A beautiful tiny church on a green meadow at the foot of a forest and tall mountains with some fog and clouds above, Dolomites, Italy - Small
Mountain Sanctuary

Church of St. John in Ranui | Villnöss, Italy | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PHOTOGRAPH 100

What It Takes

A photographer whose nature photography prints have high value is usually backed by a strong portfolio body of work. Commonly it showcases the result of years of hard work. The part that often remains invisible however, is all of the unsuccessful attempts. The times when lots of effort was poured in, but little or nothing came out. Such as traveling to Italy with specific goals to capture the Dolomite Mountains, but returning with a single image (Mountain Sanctuary) to show for. Why? Because it mostly rained and the clouds obscured the magnificent mountains I had been dreaming of capturing, for months.

In order to bring real value to his/her nature photography prints an artist has to regularly prepare for an outdoors photo-shoot. Depending on the location and goals, this could mean different things. Travel is often required, which is an investment of both time and money. Sometimes it is a few hours drive, other times it involves crossing the ocean and going to a different continent. The problem is that there is never a guarantee that nature will cooperate and you will return with a prized photograph. Furthermore, additional travel is regularly needed on location. I have hiked on trails, bushwhacked without a trail, traveled by mountain bike, snowshoed, and climbed with skis in the pursuit of capturing the moment.

Another part that adds value to nature photography prints, is the frequent necessity of sacrifices. Landscape photographers often have to get up very early in the morning in order to capture a special moment. I woke up at 2am after a snowstorm on a winter morning. Thirty minutes later I was on touring skis with gear on my back, at the base of Vail Ski Resort. The task? Climb up for 3 hours in pitch back darkness, and race to reach the top of Vail Mountain – 11,570 Feet (3,527 M) before sunrise. In the process, ascend 3,450 Feet (1,052 M) and cover a distance of 3 miles. While doing it, dodge the occasional grooming snowcats, so that you don’t get run over. When I arrived at my target location it was 1 degree F (-17C). While photographing I had to take off my gloves briefly several times. It was so freezing that my hands felt pain more than cold. During the entire exercise I sustained damage on my toes, which took a full year to heal.

Finally, the art of post-processing nature photography adds value to the prints, and is a serious effort on its own. Some images are easier to process and bring out their best, but that is the less common scenario. I have spent some 40 hours processing Moonlight Dreaming. I processed Placid Sunrise 3 times over the span of several weeks, before I achieved the image quality I wanted. In most cases I will work on an image and then let it sit for a day or two. After that I go back and fine tune. The process repeats until I am satisfied.

An old barn with mountains around and stars and moonlight - Small
Moonlight Dreaming

Stars & Moonlight | Crested Butte, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PHOTOGRAPH 200

Mt Hood at sunrise and its reflection in a calm mountain lake surrounded by evergreen trees, Oregon - Small
Placid Sunrise

Mt Hood, Oregon | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PHOTOGRAPH 100

PERSONAL VALUE

I believe that personal value is the most important aspect when buying nature photography prints. Is the image speaking to you? Is it drawing you in? Is it evoking positive emotions and making you want to visit that location? Is it impacting your mood in a way that you really like? In my opinion, if at least some of the above are not true, the extrinsic and intrinsic value matters very little. Maybe you buy a print for its monetary worth and brand reputation, but you don’t really care for the art itself. Well, what good is that? Wouldn’t you rather look at something every day, which completely transforms your interior and makes you feel good on the inside? Below are several examples of personal value.

Some art-buyers place a high personal value on nature photography prints because of the particular location of the image. Maybe they had a family vacation in that region and want to have a reminder on their wall at home. Maybe the location is a favorite place for them to visit on a regular basis. Or, maybe they own a vacation home in that area and want to decorate it with an art piece displaying the local beauty.

A specific life experience can also cause a person to place personal value in nature photography prints. Someone going through a difficult season of life can be reminded of hope by having a certain print on their wall. Another, might be at the beginning of a big life change and can be encouraged by the change and beauty of a nature season. Yet another could have met their spouse by the ocean and always reminisce fondly about that experience.

Another reason, possibly the biggest, why people purchase nature photography is because of the positive value of nature photography prints on their emotions. A powerful nature print can evoke many valuable emotions in a person, because of its capability to transform an interior space. It can draw the viewer in and virtually transport them to a beautiful place. Such a window to nature may bring a sense of peace, calm, awe, admiration, hope, inspiration, name your own.

A patch of sunlit aspens against a darker Colorado mountains background - Small
Hope

San Juan Mountains, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PHOTOGRAPH 25

An ocean wave under a crimson red sunset and sky with clouds and red sand, Mexico - Small
Crimson Twilight

Pacific Sunset | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PHOTOGRAPH 50

FINAL THOUGHTS

Hopefully this article helps you understand how to better understand the value of nature photography prints? Regardless of whether you are a long-time collector or a first time art-buyer you have to know what is important to you. You have to know what you value and what types of nature prints personally move you. I strive to bring out the best in my artwork and strive to add the most value for my customers. If you are curious I invite you to have a look at my online galleries. Feel free to contact me and let me know how I can help transform your home or office interior.

A close-up panorama of fall color aspen leaves and foliage - Small

Magical Leaves

Fall Aspen Foliage | Kebler Pass, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PHOTOGRAPH 100

The sun rising above a mountain horizon and a sea gulf, Greece - Small

Aegean Pearl

Aegean Sunrise | Nea Vrasna, Greece | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PHOTOGRAPH 100

A beautiful valley bathing in sunshine with tall vertical cliffs and monasteries, Greece - Small

Monastic Haven

Meteora | Kalabaka, Greece | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PHOTOGRAPH 50

What Makes High Quality Nature Photo Prints

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A nature path through a forest of fall color aspen and evergreen trees

What Makes High Quality Nature Photo Prints

Large format high quality nature photo prints can truly transform an interior space. They can inspire, impress, and command the attention of the bystander. That said, there are many characteristics which have to come together in order for a fine art print to achieve superior quality. Are you an art collector who wants to know how to tell the good from the great? Read on and learn what differentiates the high end premium quality fine art from the average landscape photo prints.

THE CONTENT

High quality nature photo prints are first made with great image content. Impressive content is the base for what makes high end fine art, just like any great meal begins with the finest ingredients. Therefore, there are several components which make up the photographic ingredients of the print.

Location

A beautiful location provides the first ingredient for the content of quality nature photo prints. While natural beauty abounds around the world, there are certainly parts of it that are more captivating than others. If the landscape is not stunning, chances are that the print itself will not have a wow factor.

Composition

As a fine art nature photographer I have been amazed at how much the photo composition affects the final quality of the prints. The right composition of the same location/object can be the difference between a high end and a mediocre print. While composition may seem less significant, it actually affects the final result considerably. A strong composition makes a powerful statement, which captures any viewer.

Object

Similar to composition, the object/s in the photo contribute substantially to the quality of great nature prints. High end fine art prints contain both aesthetically and visually pleasing objects. Forms, shapes, tones and sizes will influence the final look, feel, and presentation of the scenery.

Season

Another ingredient of quality nature photo prints is the season during which the shot was made. It is true that every season brings its own natural beauty. However, the same landscape will not look equally attractive throughout the different months. For this reason it is crucial that the landscape photographer captures the location and object/s during the best time of the year.

Light

Light is a major factor when it comes to high quality nature photo prints. In nature light can change not only from one day to another, but also multiple times within the same day. It can be so transformative that the exact same scenery can be stunning one moment, and absolutely dull only minutes later. I have personally experienced this multiple times and one example is my limited edition fine art image Perfect Five. The radiance and splendor you see in it were completely gone moments after I pressed the shutter. Once the light was gone the landscape looked almost black and white and without any vibrancy.

Uniqueness

Finally, high end quality nature photo prints have something unique about them. This is important especially with well known beautiful locations. Since these places draw large crowds of photographers there can be a tendency to repeat the same photographic theme. Prints that contain the same object, composition, season, and light can soon lose their appeal because they all look the same. On the other hand, when an image showcases a well known location in a unique and creative way, the end result of the fine art print can truly impress.

THE IMAGE

Every nature photographer who produces high quality photo prints will process the digital image after it has been captured. There are several reasons for that. One, the camera does not see the way the human eye sees. Therefore, most times post-processing is necessary in order to bring out the beauty that was witnessed in real life. Two, a serious photographer will shoot in raw image format, which captures a lot of information. The photographer then needs to make the necessary tweaks and adjustments, in order to bring out the best of that information to life. Nevertheless, image post-processing is an art form in itself which requires mastery.

Processing

Skilful post-processing of the image can produce great quality nature photo prints. Modern software products like Photoshop make this possible. However, this software provides a lot of processing power, making it very easy to over-process a photograph. Meaning, it takes a master artist to pull out the best of the image without going too far and producing artificial results. A high end nature print is both spectacular and natural. It is stunning, without looking over processed.

Noise

High quality nature photo prints are clean and without noise. While this is usually not an issue on computer screens or small prints, it matters a great deal with large format photo prints. Serious photographers will ensure that noise is under control in their print. While some situations look natural with some noise, most times a noisy sky, clouds, or other smooth surfaces create a low quality print.

Sharpness

Good sharpness and detail produce quality nature photo prints. Again, both of these can be taken too far and can actually ruin the print. However, a quality fine art print will have great detail and sharpness and absence of noise, even at very large sizes. Everything done right will still be negated by a blurry image.

Hot Pixels

Hot pixels do not produce quality nature photo prints. When cameras take long exposures, usually in low light, they produce “hot” pixels. This happens because the electronic photo sensor produces heat when the shutter is open for a longer period of time. The end result is brightly colored unnatural dots on the image. They are artifacts which need to be removed before printing. This is another factor that is more noticeable on large format prints.

A panorama of sandstone hoodoo spires rich in red and orange color, Bryce Canyon - Small
Pinnacles of Fire

Morning Light | Bryce Canyon, Utah | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PHOTOGRAPH 100

THE PRINT

Great quality nature photo prints look good both on paper and a screen. On the other hand, just because an image looks good on an LED screen it does not mean that it will look good when printed. As mentioned above, detail and sharpness will be present in the final result of the actual print, which is just one of several components.

Tones, Color & Brightness

The tones and colors of quality nature photo prints look natural, bright, and vivid. They are usually true to what is represented in real life. There is a catch however. It may look drastically different from what you saw on your computer. Not all screens are made equal. First, different brands will render color tonality differently. Second, not all monitors are calibrated to the same color space. For this reason, the same image will appear differently from one monitor to another.

In addition, one should be able to see detail in both the darkest and the brightest areas of the print. A bright sky should not be so bright that it is overexposed and appears white. Conversely, a shaded area should not be so dark that it is pure black. However, there are exceptions when the photographer purposefully brightens or darkens to extremes in order to achieve a particular result. In general, a high quality print is bright, vivid, and sharp, when observed in a well lit area. These are essentials and differentiate the premium fine art from the lower quality artwork.

Mount & Medium

The finest materials and mount products are the final requirement for high quality nature photo prints. While the printmaking industry offers a variety of print mediums and mounting options, they vary in quality of presentation. Before you buy a fine art print, make sure that you understand the type of print medium and mount to be used.

I consider acrylic prints to be the best quality possible. However, not all acrylic prints are of the same quality. For example Costco offers acrylic prints, but they are no match to those offered by a high-end print lab, whose customers are serious professional photographers.

FujiFlex Super Gloss print paper is one of the best papers available. Combined with a TruLife® acrylic face mount creates a museum, or fine art gallery, quality print masterpiece. Acrylic prints produce vivid colors with great details, which give the art image almost a 3D look. The next best mount and medium in my mind are metal prints. This is why I focus on offering my limited edition artwork in both of these.

CONCLUSION

The best quality nature photo prints are not easy to produce. It takes time, skill, effort, and patience to create an impressive piece of landscape artwork. There are many great nature photographers out there. However, not everyone can offer spectacular large format premium fine art prints. As a reminder, a photograph which looks stunning on a screen may or may not look stunning in print. If you are a serious art collector you are probably looking for the best quality fine art nature photography print. This article equips you with the knowledge of the necessary components that make premium fine art.

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Aegean Pearl

Aegean Sea Sunrise | Nea Vrasna, Greece | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PHOTOGRAPH 100

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Soothing Ocean

Soothing Ocean Waves | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PHOTOGRAPH 25

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Crimson Twilight

Pacific Sunset | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PHOTOGRAPH 50

11 Ways to Experience the Colorado Fall Colors

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Golden Colorado aspens in a beautiful tree grove and white tree trunks

11 Ways to Experience the Colorado Fall Colors

Many people go out to see the fall colors in Colorado, but how many truly experience this annual ritual of nature? As a landscape photographer I like to spend a few days every autumn to capture the magnificence of the vibrant foliage. For me those trips used to be all about fine art nature photography, as I tirelessly drove around in an effort to cover as much ground as possible. During my most recent trip however, I decided to slow down and also enjoy the experience. It made a big difference for me as I felt more present and connected with nature and appreciated the fall colors with four of my five senses. How about you? Do you know how to truly enjoy and be present for those temporary and amazingly beautiful moments? Here are some ways you can make the most out of such a trip.

1 SLOW DOWN

You can experience the Colorado fall colors by intentionally taking your time when you go out in nature. Decide how much time you have and how many places you want to visit in that period, without being in a hurry. Allow yourself to slow down and really be present wherever you go. You may decide that you only have time to visit one location, which is fine. The important part is to engage with your surroundings, disconnect from electronics, and savor the moment and the beauty.

2 TRY SOLITUDE

Experience the Colorado fall colors by spending some time alone. Not everyone is comfortable in solitude. If that is you, I would still encourage you to give it a try. Get away from the crowds and find a quiet place among the aspens. Find a beautiful spot. Sit down, or lie on the ground covered with vivid leaves. Just standing still is also fine if that is your preference. Nevertheless, relax, quiet your spirit, empty your thoughts, and just absorb the beauty of nature.

Valley of golden yellow aspens and a big waterfall near Telluride - Small
God's Canvas

Bridal Veil Falls | Telluride, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 50

3 STROLL IN A FOREST

A fall colors drive in Colorado is great, but to really experience the vibrant foliage you really need to take a slow walk in an aspen forest. Venture off of the trail and explore. Wander with no particular goal, other than to see what is around the corner. Take your time. Stop, listen, look, and feel. You may see a big aspen tree trunk fallen down, and forming a bridge over a small ravine. It could be a trunk on the ground, offering a natural bench to rest on. It is possible that you spot bear claw marks on another aspen. Pay attention and discover a small wildlife trail. Or, you may come to an opening in the forest that allows you to see a bigger view of the forest.

4 KICK SOME LEAVES

Don’t be afraid to experience the Colorado fall colors by being a little child again. Find an area where leaves have fallen and are carpeting the ground. Drag your feet on the forest floor and kick some leaves. Watch them shuffle and listen to their rustling sound. It may seem silly but it is so satisfying and fun to have the brilliance of colors explode under your feet.

A close-up panorama of fall color aspen leaves and foliage - Small
Magical Leaves

Fall Aspen Foliage | Kebler Pass, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PHOTOGRAPH 100

5 LISTEN

Another way to experience the aspen fall colors in Colorado is by employing your listening skills. There is a reason why the aspen tree (Populus Tremuloides) is often referred to as “quaking aspen”. When the gentle autumn breeze flows through the mountains it makes the colorful aspen leaves tremble. They produce a magical sound which is very calming and soothing. If you hear it, pause and listen. Feel the flow of air and let the sound flow through you. Keep watch and you may see yellow leaves smoothly flying off the branches and falling to the ground.

6 SMELL

Experience the Colorado fall colors by your sense of smell. When foliage starts decaying during the autumn season it produces a pleasant sugary smell. It is a smell of ripeness, reminiscent of crops ready for harvest. Leaves produce this smell during decay because their sugars and organic compounds begin to break down. Pay attention, take a few deep breaths through your nose, and enjoy the sweet smell of autumn.

7 LOOK UP & DOWN

Colorado offers fall colors both closer to the ground and higher in the trees that one can notice and experience. Often people will keep their attention on the tree branches. However, many types of shrubs and small plants change their leaf colors around the same time as the aspen trees. They enrich the beauty of the landscape and provide an additional dimension of color. Don’t forget to examine the forest floor and notice the vibrancy. Conversely, look up at the tree leaves from a low spot. You can do this by lying on the ground, or an aspen log, and gazing upwards. Notice the contrast between sunlit yellow aspen leaves and the saturated blue sky.

Aspen tree trunks with yellow leaves on the ground

8 EXAMINE A LEAF

Pick up a Colorado aspen leaf in your hand to intimately experience the fall colors. First, notice its elegant shape and gentle feel in your hand. Then hold it up to the sunlight and observe the brilliance of its warm color come to life. Further, marvel at the leaf’s astonishing design and function by looking closely at the intricate network inside it. Ponder the fact that God created these leaves to be superb solar panels, harvesting solar light and converting it into energy. Let it boggle your mind that scientists have been able to increase solar cell electricity production by 50%, simply by mimicking the anatomy of tree leaves.

9 OBSERVE THE TRUNKS

During your fall colors outing experience you may observe the various shades of aspen bark color in Colorado. Notice that aspen tree trunks bark color can be one of these: yellowish-white, greenish-white, yellowish-gray, gray, or almost white. What is interesting, is that you won’t see a grove of trees with mixed bark colors. They will all have the same shade and tone. A scene that is a bit more rare, but quite striking, is when you find a patch with white aspens. Their bright trunks contrast so well against the vivid colors that it creates one of the prettiest views.

10 DISCOVER THE LIGHT

Experience the Colorado fall colors by viewing them in different light settings to see how they change. There are three main scenarios here. One, when the leaves are directly lit by the sun from the front. That means that the sun is behind you and the trees are in front of you. This scenario is the least attractive because it makes the leaf colors bright but a bit dull. Two, when the leaves are lit by the sun from behind. This means that the sun is in front of you, and the trees are between you and the sun. It is amazing to watch as those golden leaves literally shine brightly and display their richness in full brightness. Three, when the leaves are not lit directly by sunlight, but are in the shadow and reflect reflected light. The reflected light source is usually clouds or a nearby mountain slope. This happens early in the morning or late in the evening and is my favorite. In those situations the leaves appear as if they emit a soft light from within and seem to glow against the darker shaded background.

A fall color view of yellow aspens and mountains in the distance

11 GO HIGHER

My final suggestion to experience the fall colors in Colorado gives you a more unique perspective. While all of the previous examples give you an up-close and personal encounter, this one allows you to see the bigger picture. And that is, to hike up to a higher elevation and see the aspens from above. It takes more effort but is absolutely worth it. Hike to a mesa, a hill, or a mountain and observe a valley below, carpeted with yellows and oranges. You will see entire groves and a range of colors. You may see narrow streaks among evergreen trees, which will remind you of gold veins. Whatever the combination, my expectation is that you will be impressed.

CONCLUSION

For those of us living in Colorado, we have been given a gift and a blessing to have the experience of enjoying the wondrous fall colors once a year. It is a precious opportunity to see nature at its best as mountains, trees, and seasons explode in a celebration of beauty. Wherever you are coming from and however long you are staying in the mountains, I hope that your stay is meaningful and refreshing to your soul. I hope you go beyond endless selfies and preoccupation with electronics and social media. Embrace the unique moment to truly experience the wonderful fall colors of Colorado, by genuinely immersing yourself in this spectacular phenomenon.

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Yellow aspen hills and Uncompahgre Peak with pink clouds at sunrise - Small

Divine Culmination

Uncompahgre Peak | Slumgullion Pass, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 200

Golden Colorado aspens in a beautiful tree grove and white tree trunks - Small

San Juan Gold

Fall Colors | San Juan Mountains, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 150

Orange aspens and fall color shrubs with Colorado mountains in the background - Small

Autumn's Peak

Dallas Divide, Colorado | LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PRINT 150

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Gintchin Fine Art offers exclusive limited edition fine art photography by Lazar Gintchin, a nature and landscape photographer specializing in large format size prints. Each image in Gintchin’s portfolio is a unique and limited edition print. The gallery includes high-quality wall art prints in acrylic and metal mediums, providing a luxurious fine art presentation. With a diverse range of genres to choose from, art enthusiasts can curate a collection that reflects their aesthetic preferences.

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